The Riverlands

Tai ji update

2012-01-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

I recently got together with my Taiji instructor, Paul Pitchford, after not seeing him for more than 20 years. I took my first Taiji class with Paul in 1975 when he taught in Moscow, Idaho.
On the left is a picture of us taken in Moscow dated January 19, 1979 practicing double Join Hands (i.e., Push Hands).
Below is a picture of us practicing double Join Hands on January 21, 2012 - almost 33 years later to the day!

Red Deer Antler Tips

2011-11-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Recently I had an inquiry about red deer antler tips that were mentioned in a book as a high quality product. The tips of the antler are said to be stronger and warmer than the body the antler, however, they are quite expensive and you may have to pay up to $1,000.00 for this product. One reason for the expense is that the tips have to be cut from the antler and you can not buy just a small amount. When the antler is cut you need to buy a minimum of three or four ounces of the antler.
We suggest using regular deer antler. For all intents and purposes this will serve you quite well.
See Deer Antler.

Bruce Lee Plays Ping Pong

2011-08-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is fun! See: Bruce Lee Plays Ping Pong with nunchucks

Pictures of China's Ethnic Groups

2011-06-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to superb Photo's of China's Different Ethnic Groups.

Fructus Lycii 枸杞子 gou qi zi (wolfberry)

2011-05-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Fructus Lycii 枸杞子 (Chinese: Gou qi zi, AKA goji berry or wolfberry) is an important herb for longevity and beauty. It nourishes the blood and essence and is used for weakened sexual energy, backache, fading eyesight, oversensitive eyes, mental confusion, and underdeveloped inner psychic vision. This sweet and tasty fruit can be made into tea, eaten by itself, or used in food preparations. It combines well with Ginseng, Rehmanniae, or Chrysanthemum. Use 6-15 grams per four cups water.

Note: Tibetan Goji Berries is a species of Lycii berries that is not listed in the Official Chinese Materia Medica and therefore is considered a Food Grade Product rather than a Medicinal Grade Herb.

China's Yuan advances to new high

2011-04-06T12:50:00.001-07:00

Herb prices and goods from China will continue to rise as China's Yuan advances.

See: China's Yuan advances to new high

Chinese Yuan continues to advance -higher prices to come

2011-01-24T14:40:00.000-08:00

Herb prices will continue to increase as China's yuan advanced to 6.5883 per US dollar. Ten years ago the price was about 8.2 to the US dollar which made products much less expensive - almost half of what the cost is now.

China's Herbal Medicine Plagued by Inflation

2011-01-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

China's Herbal Medicine Plagued by Inflation
By Michael Bristow BBC News, Anguo, Northern China

At the Central Trade Hall in the city of Anguo there are hundreds of stalls selling unusual products - tree bark, wild flowers and roots.

Many of them have unusual names, such as Baikal Skullcap and Pagoda Tree.

These products are all used in traditional Chinese medicine and are on sale at the country's largest market for medicinal herbs.

It is an ancient industry that is currently grappling with an age-old problem: inflation.

Medicinal herbs have on average nearly doubled in price over the last year. Some particular ingredients have gone up even more.

Expect Chinese Herb Prices to Rise

2011-01-11T16:20:00.001-08:00

Chinese herb prices continue to rise due to crop failure's and pressure from the US Government. The United States says China's yuan is undervalued which makes their products unfairly cheap.
Here's another article about the rising prices: China sees soaring medicinal herb prices.
In any event be prepared to see frequent price increases in the product you buy.

Herb Prices Soar

2011-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

SINGAPORE, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The prices of most herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rose by 30 percent this year in Singapore.

Local herbs wholesalers contribute the price increase to the stronger Chinese currency and herbus supply shortages, local English daily the Straits Times reported on Tuesday.

The supply shortages are the result of major natural disasters which wiped out swathes of herbal plantations in China.

The prices of over 25 percent of herbal medicines have more than doubled in the second half of the year. For instance, the honeysuckle flower, or jinyinhua, which is used to relieve colds, costs as much as five times more than it did last year.....

For more info see: Traditional Chinese medicine herbs prices surge in Singapore

Chinese Treasures on Auction

2010-12-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Chinese treasures make up the bulk of auction at Sotheby's. See

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/7234570.html

Prices of Chinese Herbs will continue to rise

2010-12-15T15:07:00.001-08:00

... Chinese consumers have recently been forced to wrestle with market distortions that have triggered huge advances in commodities such as ginger, garlic and medicinal herbs. ...

To read the full article see: Chinese Jittery over red-hot prices

Peace Prize?

2010-12-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

Why is it that Liu Xiaobo gets the Nobel Peace Prize for speaking out for democracy in China and wikileaks Julian Assange is considered the USA's number one enemy for speaking out for democracy?

Prices of Chinese Herbs Increase

2010-12-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Friday 2010-12-10 12:33

December 10 -- Shanghai raised the prices of Chinese medicines by about 44.06 percent yesterday, reports Yicai.com, citing Huo Guiming, manager of Shanghai Qunli Herbal Medicine Store.

Huo said there were price hikes in August and September due to the increasing cost of raw materials for Chinese medicines.

According to data published by the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the prices of 459 kinds of herbs were raised in October, accounting for 86 percent of the total amount, of which the price of Taizi ginseng surged 612 percent.

Huo added that the tough weather conditions played an important role in the current price hike.

Besides the above factors, Liu Sheng, manager of Yunnan Lvsheng Pharmaceutical, attributed the current price hike to the increase in the prices of agricultural products.

Shares of Beijing Tongrentang (600085), a Chinese medicine producer, gained 1.88 percent to close the morning session at 36.28 yuan.

Source: CaptialVue News

Easy Herbal Remedy for vomiting and diarrhea

2010-12-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

An excellent formula for for vomiting and diarrhea is composed of equal amounts (about 6 grams) of fresh ginger and tea leaves. Boil together briefly and sip the tea slowly. It settles the stomach and reduces the diarrhea. This is an easy remedy to remember and use if you are ever traveling. Source: Chinese Herbal Medicine 3rd Ed. page 33 You can purchase this book at: http://eastearthtrade.com/chineseherbalmedicinemateriamedicathirdedition.aspx

82-year-old woman creates herself unique body exercise

2010-12-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

Eighty-two-year-old Zhao Yufang stretches her leg in the residential compound she lives in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2010. Zhao created herself a unique body exercise combining Yoga, Wushu or martial arts, and Qigong or breathing exercise in her sixties, and three hours of daily practice over years has granted her with good fitness. (Xinhua/Liu Yu)
See: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90783/91324/7221158.html

Treasures on Show

2010-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

An exhibition of important relics and contemporary art pieces of China was held in Beijing on October 21-24, displaying the country's rich culture and its boundless charm.

As the largest Chinese antique art fair, the Second Beijing China Art International Fair (BCAIF) offered a good opportunity for people to enjoy hundreds of the best and rare Chinese art treasures, said Yu Ping, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage, one of the sponsors of the fair. More...

QR Code for East Earth Trade Winds.

2010-11-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

Scan this image with your smartphone to link to East Earth Trade Winds website

China's Taoism Revival

2010-11-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

Yin Xinhui reached the peak of Mount Yi and surveyed the chaos. The 47-year-old Taoist abbess was on a sacred mission: to consecrate a newly rebuilt temple to one of her religion’s most important deities, the Jade Emperor. But there were as yet no stairs, just a muddy path up to the pavilion, which sat on a rock outcropping 3,400 feet above a valley. A team of workers was busy laying stone steps, while others planted sod, trees and flowers. Inside the temple, a breeze blew through windows that were still without glass, while red paint flecked the stone floor. More...

Confucius descendant to donate family tree book to the U.S. Library of Congress

2010-10-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

Confucius descendant to donate family tree book to the U.S. Library of Congress

A descendant of the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius will donate a copy of a collection of books that delineate Confucius's family tree to the U.S. Library of Congress in September....

Old Summer Palace calls for return of looted relics

2010-10-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

A commemorative event marking the 150th anniversary of the destruction of the imperial garden by occupying forces during the Second Opium War was held on Monday evening, Oct. 18, 2010 at the ruins of the Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace. Reported by Beijing News.
more...

Yi ethnic culture museum opens in Yunnan

2010-10-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yi ethnic culture museum opens in Yunnan
A museum recently opened in Yunnan Province dedicated to the ethnic culture of the Yi minority. It is aimed at rejuvenating their unique crafts and customs that are being pushed into oblivion.

The museum takes the shape of a typical Yi village tucked between mountains. Covering an area of five thousand square meters, it was funded by a Yi ethnic entrepreneur and took three years to complete.
More at:

Yi ethnic culture museum

UFO photographed over ancient Chinese city

2010-10-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

UFO photographed over ancient Chinese city.
There have been a number of UFO sightings in China recently. Here is a recent story on one.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/7149965.html

Chinese Womens Fashions

2010-10-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

Chinese womens fashions from 1900-2010.

Defining "Qi"

2010-09-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Chinese word "Qi" is often mistranslated as "energy" in English. "Qi" is not energy.

"Qi" cannotes both substance and function. Substance and function are two different concepts but they are closely related and cannot be entirely separated. This is because each function must be based on a certain substance, while a certain form of substance is bound to demonstrate a corresponding function. -Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture, p. 36

While not easy to translate, a better term than "energy" is "Air" or "Vital Air".

Oxford Dictionary adds Popular Chinese Terms

2010-09-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

The 115-year-old prestigious Oxford Dictionary will now include popular new Chinese terms like "shanzhai" "youtiao" and "fangnu", as part of the modern Chinese language.

As China plays a more and more important role in the world economy, the Chinese language is forever evolving, attracting more attention from people who want to understand this ancient yet vibrant language.
For more see: Oxford Dictionary adds Popular Chinese Terms

Jet Li wants to make Taiji an Olympic Sport

2010-08-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Jet Li wants to make Taiji an Olympic Sport

"The Expendables" star Jet Li is not just eying Hollywood but is working to include Chinese martial arts in the Olympics.

Li announced his plan on Thursday in Beijing where he was named image ambassador for the inaugural SportAccord Combat Games, the "Beijing News" reports.

Li will work specifically on promoting the martial art of Taijiquan. ....

Wyoming Warrior Wedding

2010-08-23T20:53:00.001-07:00

Pictures from the Forsmann/Fiorella Wyoming Warrior Wedding, Saturday, August 21, 2010

Grooms Wedding Party (Left To Right): Wayde Jenkins, Robin Johnson, Herb Blue (Best Man), Steve Forsmann (Groom), Michel Czehatowski, Ralph

Bride: Christine Fiorella (Mrs. Steve Forsmann)

TCM 1st time passes U.S. FDA clinical trials

2010-08-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

A China-made pill to treat cardiovascular conditions has been tested safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...
See: http://www.china.org.cn/china/2010-08/07/content_20659500.htm

Peasant Inventor

2010-08-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

See: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7092040.html

Largest Zhuang Embroidery

2010-08-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Largest Zhuang Embroidery Shines in Shanghai

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/7091021.html

China offloaded 32.5 billion U.S. dollars worth of U.S. Treasury bonds

2010-07-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Reported by the People's Daily Online on July 19, 2010: China offloaded 32.5 billion U.S. dollars worth of U.S. Treasury bonds (T-bonds) holdings in May but remains the largest holder of U.S. debt, the U.S. Treasury Department reported last Friday. For full article see People's Daily Online

East Earth Trade Winds herb quality

2010-07-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

In response to an inquiry about East Earth Trade Winds' herb quality:
East Earth Trade Winds has been in business since 1985 and have used the same suppliers all these years. While the quality of the herbs may vary over time, e.g., we used to get wild ganoderma, now we get cultivated ganoderma, we have never had a problem with misidentified herbs. Michel Czehatowski, the owner, is trained in herbal medicine and as part of his training he had to learn to identify 400 different Chinese herbs (herb identification was part of the California Licensing Exam in 1984 when he took and passed the California State Acupuncture licensing exam).
Shipments of herbs come into our store every week and the majority of herbs that we inventory rarely stay on our shelves for longer than a few weeks. We have a constant turnover. When herbs come in our store they are labeled with Chinese characters and botanical name. Herbs that we get are not sprayed as we occasionally will find bugs on them. We discard any herbs with bugs.
We buy herbs in one pound quantities and will repackage them in four or eight ounce bags. During the repackaging we always have to keep track of the correct herb.

Chinese Proverb

2010-07-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Before enlightenment chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment chop wood and carry water.

Eczema Herbs

2010-07-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

In formulas for eczema, you should always use:
Jing Jie
Fang Feng
Niu Bang Zi
Chan Tui
Ku Shen
Yi Yi Ren
Zhi Mu
Sheng Di Huang
Shi Gao
Mu Dan Pi
Gan Cao

It there is a lot of dryness add:
Tian Dong - 5 gms
Mai Dong - 5 gms

For Blood def add Women's Precious Pills

Herbs can be found at www.eastearthtrade.com

Herbal slimming aid contains banned

2010-07-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Herbal slimming aid contains banned, Rx drugs: US regulator

(AFP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON — The US drug safety watchdog on Thursday warned that a Chinese herbal slimming supplement sold in shops and online contains active drugs not listed on its label, including a stimulant known to cause heart damage.

The weight loss supplement sold under the name Que She and marketed as "an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs" contains not only fenfluramine, a stimulant withdrawn from the US market in 1997 after studies showed it caused serious heart valve damage, but also three other potentially harmful drugs.

The other drugs found in Que She were the beta-blocker propranolol, which can harm people with asthma and certain heart conditions; prescription weight loss drug sibutramine, which has been linked with increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with a history of heart disease; and the stimulant ephedrine.

The drugs in Que She could be dangerous on their own in certain groups of patients, and could "interact with other medications and result in a serious adverse event," the FDA warned, urging anyone who has taken the weight loss supplement to consult a health care professional.

The Diet Spotlight website described Que She as a compound of 11 Chinese herbs that "purportedly helps a person lose weight by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism."

Several websites that sold the slimming aid had removed Que She from the list of products they sell shortly after the FDA issued its warning on Thursday.

Yuanfen

2010-07-05T09:05:00.001-07:00

The Chinese have the word "yuanfen" which more or less translates as "the luck or lot of meeting someone". It usually refers to meeting someone special and how lucky you are to meet that person.

East Earth Trade Winds is now on Facebook

2010-06-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

East Earth Trade Winds is now on Facebook. We'll be updating our pages and providing information on different topics.
Please join us and become our Friends!
Go to Facebook and search for East Earth Trade Winds

Acupuncture's Molecular Effects

2010-06-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting article on research conducted on how acupuncture works:

Acupuncture's Molecular Effects

Sterculiae (pang da hai) is used for sore throats, tonsillitis, and more

2010-06-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Sterculiae (pang da hai) is a seed used for sore throats, tonsillitis, hoarseness, and cough. Pictured right is what it looks like in the dried form.

Boil a pot of water, then steep two or three seeds for 10-15 minutes in a cup of hot water. The seed softens and swells into a large gelatinous mass which you see top right. Then drink the tea every four hours. The tea has a mild flavor, so it's perfect for children. The seeds will expand 2-3 times their original size when steeped. Sterculiae is also used for constipation.

WSPA sapm reply from Sherwood Block

2010-06-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

Dear East Earth Trade Winds,
Thank you for your reply to my message.I apologize if you are getting unwarranted requests from consumers. Even if I am not your customer, I would hope that an inquiry would be welcomed on this serious issue affecting your industry. As to whether or not I have been duped by the WSPA, how else would this matter be brought to the attention of the public without their help? If you do indeed truly deplore the treatment of bears in traditional Chinese medicine, then I would hope you would welcome an investigation into this matter. Your problem with so called spam mail will go away quickly once you resolve this issue with WSPA.
I might add that it would help if you had something on your website too that indicated that you do NOT use Bear Bile or other products such as Rhinoceros horn or Tiger parts. This is a serious issue for world wild life conservation. You display many products on your website that have no indication what they are made of- what for example is in the Prostate Gland Pills? There is nothing on your site to reassure a consumer that you do not use these products."Traditional Chinese Medicines" are the worst offenders and if you think about it- you should get out ahead of this issue rather than blaming the messenger, because it is a problem. These are endangered species.
As a concerned consumer I do not buy products that test on animals or use animal parts, most especially those species that are endangered. I do not buy products that do not guarantee their ingredients. So until I have that guarantee, it is true, I will not be your customer
Thank you
Sherwood Brock

My reply:

Dear Mr. Brock,
I have been well aware of this problem since I started studying Chinese medicine in the early 1980's. It is not news to me nor my real customers. As I mentioned before we don't sell or advocate the use of these products. Had the WSPA made even a small effort to contact me then they would not have put my company name on the spam list. However, their method is like setting a trap for a wild animal - they don't care who or what gets caught in it as long as they get their message out. It's shameful.
Had you or everyone else who spams me actually been a customer or potential customer it wouldn't be a problem but when I get hundreds of identical letters from people claiming to be customers you should be able to see the problem.
By the way, I have sent letters to the WSPA over six months ago and they don't reply. I suggest you see if you can get an answer from them on who chose companies to get spammed and what research they did to put them on their list.

If you are, as you say, a consumer that does not buy products that test on animals or use animal parts then you should be using Chinese medicine. All pharmaceuticals, including OTC's, have been tested on animals. Chinese medicine has been tested on people over thousands of years not on animals.

Sincerely,
Michel Czehatowski
EETW

PS: Do you know what makes Cherry Coke red?

Answer: the color in Cherry Coke comes from a crushed insect.

Andie's WSPA Spam reply

2010-06-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was an angry letter. I understand that your annoyed but you don't have to be so condescending.
I'm sorry you feel wrongly targeted.
However, I don't see anything about this campaign that specifically targets Asian distributors.
The only people this campaign targets are the suppliers that openly farm bears and the distributors that look the other way.
If your not the latter than it's a huge selling point which you should be taking full advantage of. Getting vocal about the integrity of your products can be a huge market advantage if your not just green-washing.
Your company website makes no claims as to your eco-integrity, nor could I find any reviews of your company or sourcing practices online.
While the endorsement of those authors (which I couldn't readily find) is valid, it's not enough. Specific, verifiable claims about your sourcing and business practice are essential to insuring the integrity of your industry.
As a proprietor of medicinal goods, the ball is in your court to be as thorough & informative as possible. How do you screen suppliers for pesticides, fungicides and ambient chemical content?
Do you work with small or large farmers? What do you know about them?
Do you support suppliers that use Bear Bile -even if you don't stock those specific products?
Why do I have to write you company to get those questions answered?
Why not start a blog or at least and FAQ page to preemptively address these concerns while educating people?

Best Regards,
Andie Oliver

My reply:

Dear Ms. Andie,
If you received hundreds of letters in one day all from people claiming to be your customer but who have never even taken the time to go to your website I'm sure you would be irritated also.

As for getting vocal for marketing purposes, my position is that doing the right thing in life is not something to boast about. Actions speak louder than words. so we just do the right thing. For example, we have been using recycled paper in our catalogs for over 22 years yet we don't advertise it on our catalogs. We just do it.

The problem with the WSPA, as stated in my letter, is that they never contacted me about my company. I am presumed guilty. Furthermore, I answer all these letters personally as I have to defend my credibility.

I would like you to ask the WSPA how companies are put on their list and who verifies that that company has a problem. I suspect they won't answer you (They've ignored me) but if they do answer please forward it to me.

Sincerely,

Michel Czehatowski
EETW

WSPA spam

2010-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

From B. Smolinski,
In response to your letter if it is as you say then I most certainly apologize for thinking that your company sells any product with bear bile. I support several rescue organizations that are trying to end the use of bear bile and the barbaric farms that imprison them. It needs to be outlawed along with tiger bone, snake blood and all other methods that humans come up with to so call cure disease. Again I am sorry that your company was listed as being one of the many that was included. B. Smolinski

My reply:

Dear Ms. Smolinski,
I appreciate your apology. I suggest you write WSPA and ask them why my company was singled out and who was responsible for putting my company on a spam list without contacting me.
If they reply (I doubt they will) I would appreciate you sending the answer to me.
Once again I appreciate the time you took to reply to me.

Sincerely,
Michel Czehatowski
EETW

WSPA spam continues

2010-06-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

A few people respond EETW:

Dear Michel Czehatowski, Owner

Thank you very much for your prompt response to a question that greatly disturbs me and my family. I want you to know I had and have no intention or interest in "spamming" you or your family business. I am happy to hear you have been in business successfully for a very long time, and I am sure your regular customers have 100% faith and trust in you and yours to provide for their needs. I am well aware that most companies that sell TCM products do not use bear bile, and I am extremely glad for that knowledge. I also know that most TCM products use herbal supplements that are just as effective and probably more so than this odd ingredient.

Firstly, Please understand that ultimately the petition I signed says nothing to degrade or deface your business, nor does it outrightly accuse you and yours of using such products. It merely asks you as a business if any of your products contain bear bile, and does NOT in the process assume that you do sell such products. Then it proceeds to inform you of the situation at hand, asking if you have heard of these goings-on. Also, how long you have been in business in reality has nothing to do with the subject at hand other than through experience you have learned what products work for your consumers. I, as an informed consumer have every right to ask questions to make sure that products I buy now or in the future are safe for me and mine, and are NOT harming wildlife, etc. Even if I have to ask 5 million times, you should still look at me and answer the question, and not be offended to do so. Just because the label says so, does not mean it is. Labels are not Gods.

Secondly, I was not duped into anything. Please do not doubt the intelligence of someone you do not know. I fully read and researched(and agreed with, mind you) this petition on my own, thank you, and felt I still needed to ask. And there is nothing wrong with that. Just because I am not a "now" customer does mean I will not be a future customer. And just because you are a supporter and activist in this and that, does not mean that a product might slip through with this particular ingredient. It has happened many times with many companies. So again, do not be so offended when someone asks you to check your products. Again I state: By right as a consumer, I am allowed to inquire of any business, whether I use them or not, as to what is in their products, or what it is they are selling.

Thirdly, as for the racial slur, I do not agree with you. There is nothing racial about this issue. If we were doing it here in America, as Americans, I would sign that petition too. I do not hate Chinese nor Chinese products. As a matter of fact, I am probably one of the few who still thinks the boycott of Chinese products because of scares and such is completely ridiculous. Everyone makes mistakes and no one(or business) is perfect. A good example is the E-coli tainted food that was carried in from California: I questioned every fruit and vegetable that came in from Cali, but I did not boycott the sale of Cali produce. You merely have to be informed, and wait it out. It had nothing to do with "OMG, Californians are trying to kill us, ooooooohhhhh!" Of course not. I am not an idiot, thank you. I would not be a good consumer if I did not ask.

I thank you for actually taking the time to read my reply, and know that a small weight has been lifted knowing that your products are free and clear of this ingredient. I was actually looking at some of your teas and have a great curiosity as a studying herbalist to try some of them. Thank you for the invitation to shop, and know that I will most certainly do so at some point.

Sincerely,
Winter Johnson

My Answer:
Dear Ms. Winter,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter. I agree that as in individual you want to know what you are buying. The problem is when hundreds of people send in a form letter claiming to be customers of ours ask for the same information. I can't ignore them because my company has already been presumed guilty so I answer every one personally.
I'm sure there are more things we can agree about than disagree on so I'll leave it at that.
I would like to ask you a favor though. Please write the WSPA and find out why they singled out my company. (I'll be shocked if they actually reply to you).
Best wishes and thanks again for your feedback.

Sincerely,
Michel Czehatowski
EETW

WSPA Spamming Chinese merchants

2010-06-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

One person who spammed East Earth Trade Winds replied:
Thanks for bringing this to my attention - i will contact WSPA in regards to this matter. Do you sell any products obtained by cruelty?

Also, if WSPA made a mistake in this case than i apologize for disrupting your day but I stand by WSPA 100%. "Humanity" senselessly brutalizes animals on a mass scale. Far too many participate or look the other way. I'm so grateful that organizations like WSPA exist; if not, we may have destroyed our existance years ago, instead of soon enough.

Do you speak out aginst bear bile and other forms of senseless cruelty? This is asked just out of curiosity.

Again, my apologies. Maybe I was "duped" but it opened up communication and I do plan on staying in touch. I'm looking forward to visiting one of your stores. Also, how long has WSPA been including you in their anti-bear bile campaign?

Jim

My response was:

Dear Jim,
Let me assure you that you were "duped". Few people respond to my personal reply but from those with a conscience tell me they had no idea what was happening.
We do not sell products "obtained by cruelty". I agree that we should protect wildlife but as I said the WSPA has never made an effort to contact my company prior to setting up their spam campaign. Furthermore, my letters to them are ignored. You should reconsider your allegience to them since you are just a pawn in their campaign.
The WSPA has been doing this for about 8 months. We sporadically get batches of spam. It is particularly bad the last 24 hours however I I reply to all personally.
I hope you take time to investigate my company. Our mission is to provide natural herbal remedies as alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs.

WSPA

2010-06-13T09:14:00.001-07:00

East Earth Trade Winds periodically gets spammed by people who have been to the WSPA site and then send us a letter claiming to be our customer. Here is our reply:

Though you say you are a customer of ours I cannot find any record of you in our customer database, however, I will be glad to answer your question. We do not sell products containing bear bile nor have we ever sold products with bear bile or dealt with companies that engage in this business.

Please note that if you had done a little research before spamming us with the form letter you would have found that we have been in business for over 25 years and are not only the oldest mail-order Chinese herbal company in the USA but also the most committed to natural resource preservation. In fact, over 50 of the most respected authors in the natural health field have recommended our company as a reliable source for quality Chinese herbal products in books they have written (See Books EETW Mentioned In). When an author takes the time to mention us in their book they thoroughly check our background prior to publishing as it reflects on their reputation as well.

It appears you may have been duped into sending this form letter by the WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) taking action against the abuse of animals. While I wholeheartedly agree bears (and other wildlife) should be protected I feel it is unethical to lure people (like you) into signing and sending emails that disrupt companies such as mine that have no connection at all to this practice. It appears to me that theWSPA prejudge and pronounce people and companies guilty by association, i.e., if you sell Chinese products or are Chinese you are automatically guilty. This is racial discrimination and they made you a participant in it.
Had the WSPA taken a few minutes to contact me (my phone number and email is readily available on my website) and actually discussed the issue you would'nt be spamming my company. In the future please question the ethics and integrity of any organization that wants you to particpate in a cause and make sure they have their facts straight before blindly being used by them.

Please note that if you or your friends are sincerely interested in buying Chinese herbal products you are still welcome to shop with us.

Sincerely,

Michel Czehatowski, Owner
www.eastearthtrade.com

Tai Chi Linked to Improvements in Psychological Well-Being

2010-06-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

From MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs

May 27, 2010 — Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being, although well-controlled, longer randomized trials are needed, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis reported in the May 21 issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

"Tai Chi, the Chinese low impact mind-body exercise, has been practiced for centuries for health and fitness in the East and is currently gaining popularity in the West," said lead author Chenchen Wang, from Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, in a news release. "It is believed to improve mood and enhance overall psychological well being, but convincing evidence has so far been lacking."

The reviewers searched 8 English-language and 3 Chinese-language databases through March 2009 for randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies reporting at least 1 psychological health outcome. Two reviewers extracted and verified data, and a random-effects model allowed meta-analysis of randomized trials in each subcategory of health outcomes.

Methodologic quality of each study was also evaluated.

The reviewers identified 40 studies enrolling a total of 3817 participants and reporting on a total of 29 psychological measurements. Of 33 randomized and nonrandomized trials, 21 reported significant improvements in psychological well-being with 1 hour to 1 year of regular Tai Chi. Specific effects in community-dwelling healthy participants and in patients with chronic conditions were decreased stress (effect size [ES], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 - 1.09), anxiety (ES, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.29 - 1.03), and depression (ES, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31 - 0.80), and improved mood (ES, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20 - 0.69).

"More detailed knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of Tai Chi exercise may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions and further explicate the mechanisms of successful mind-body medicine," Dr. Wang said.

The beneficial association between Tai Chi practice and psychological health was supported by 7 observational studies with relatively large sample sizes.

"Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being including reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem. Definitive conclusions were limited due to variation in designs, comparisons, heterogeneous outcomes and inadequate controls. High-quality, well-controlled, longer randomized trials are needed to better inform clinical decisions."

Iron Hand Liniment Testimonial

2010-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Iron Hand Liniment and Tung Shueh tablets miraculously got me back on my road bike in a day!

I could feel the Iron Hand Liniment working as soon as I applied it the first time. I know I've been working my knee for the past two months, trying to get it to bend, trying to get on my road bike and go for a ride, with all my efforts ending with the same Range of Motion. But the first night after receiving the liniment i just felt like I could do it. My knee felt different, and sure enough, I jumped on my road bike and after a couple slow pedals to stretch and bend my knee, I did one full revolution without pain, then another and another! Before I knew it I was on my bike, road 6 miles!

I have to say that I think it was the Iron Hand Liniment and the Tung Shueh tablets. Prior to these products I was just in terrible pain when trying to bend the the knee to a certain degree.

I guess my beliefs have been reassured again, as I hold dearly a faith in natural cures and Chinese remedies.

Thanks again, I'll be ordering more liniment really soon. :-)

S.H.

Licorice in products

2010-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Q: I am borderline for high blood pressure. Some products contain warnings about using them if you have this condition. Why?

A: Some products contain licorice (glycyrrhiza) and one company that we know of has warnings on the label because of this. Long term use of large amounts (3-9gms per day) of licorice may cause high blood pressure. However, other companies choose not to do this since the amount of licorice in the product is extremely small and unlikely to cause any problems.

Sifu Lew Cloud Hands Seminar

2010-06-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sifu Share K. Lew and his wife Juanita held a very successful two day Cloud Hands seminar in Redding, CA over the weekend. Sifu Lew is a prime example of how practice of Taoist Nei Gong (Qi Gong) can improve and maintain your health. Now in his 90's, Sifu Lew has been practicing over 70 years.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the seminar and we were all were inspired by him. Also, special thanks go to John and Janet Price, long-time students and friends of Sifu Lew for sponsoring him.

Iron Hand / Iron Palm Liniments

2010-05-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

Q: It sounds like your iron hand[palm] liniment is the real deal. i'm a beginner boxer and would be using it to toughen my hands, and fingers for in the gym and on the street for self defense purposes if needed. i'm not into breaking concrete, but injury free one hit knockouts is appealing. which product do you recommend, dit da jow or iron hand liniment? also does it come in larger quantities? 16-30 oz btls.? your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated. thank you, rick

A: They both work good. Both can be used for sports injuries and toughening the hands. Zheng gu shui is warming. Iron Hand is not. I suggest getting a bottle of each and trying one bottle at a time and comparing results.
You'll find the products at www.eastearthtrade.com

Dit Da Jow's

2010-05-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

Q: I came upon your web site while I was looking for a good Dit Da Jow. The other web sites only confused me even more than I already was. Anyway after looking at your web site I now have a few additional questions that hopefully you can answer.

1). Can you recommend a product that can help me with tendinitis that I currently have in my right elbow? I have had it treated by an acupuncturist but it does flare up from time to time.
2). Can you recommend a product that can help me with arthritis that I currently have in my left shoulder? I have had it treated by an acupuncturist but it does flare up from time to time.
3). I am also looking for a good Dit Da Jow, can you point me in that direction as well?

I am a martial artist and items 1 and 2 seem to be getting in my way.

Thanks,
J.P.

A: Here's a link to a page where several of our Dit Da Jow's are located ("Dit Da Jow" is a generic term for "hit medicine"). I suggest trying the Zheng Gu Shui. It's cheap and works really good. Second choice: Iron Hand liniment.
You can also buy the bulk herbs and make up your own formula. We have them premeasured for you. Just soak in alsohol for few months and you'll have a great formula.

See:

http://eastearthtrade.com/sportsandmartialartproducts.aspx

You might also like to read Secrets of Iron Palm Training.

Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

2010-05-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew will take place June 5 and June 6, 2010 in Redding, CA.
For more info email: 6mmrem@gmail.com
or search for earlier post on this blog.

How to prepare Ganoderma

2010-05-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Ganoderma is prepared as a tea. You'll need to bring 4 cups water to a boil. boil the ganoderma for 5 minutes vigorously then simmer for 30+ minutes. You can then drink the tea. You can buy ganoderma at www.eastearthtrade.com

BRIC countries

2010-05-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

MADRID (Dow Jones)--Emerging economies will lead global growth in coming years, with Brazil, Russia, India and China, known as the BRIC countries, accounting for two-thirds of world growth this year, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Wednesday.

Tea Production in China affected by Drought

2010-05-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

Tea production in southeast China has suffered due to one of the longest droughts on record. Production and quality is lower and prices are higher because of the drought.

Weaverville Museum

2010-04-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of objects on display in one of the cabinets. You can see coins, scales, and opium pipe and other interesting objects. The museum also has weapons used in a local Tong war including a butterfly knife and a very long sword.
If you are passing through Weaverville, CA stop at the Joss House and the Museum.

Weaverville Chinese History

2010-04-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Chinese miners settled in the Weaverville area in the 1800's. We found a museum across the parking lot from the Joss House that was really interesting. There were several cases filled with Chinese related historical objects. One that we found interesting was a medical book on display that had prescriptions for toothache, skin problems, and a Dit Da Jow formula. The formulas are all written by brush.
Unfortunately the book was locked in a cabinet and inaccessible. I would love to go through the book and have it translated.
Here's a picture of the page that is displayed. At the top, in the center you can find the characters for Tian Qi or Psuedoginseng which is a standard ingredient in dit da jow formulas.

Weaverville Joss House

2010-04-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

There's a small museum that you enter before being able to take a tour of the temple that displays many interesting Chinese artifacts. One item that caught my eye is this bottle that contained a tonic wine with Wu Jia Pi (otherwise known as Siberian Ginseng). The characters for Wu Jia Pi are near the top of the label printed with smaller characters and written from right to left.

Weaverville, CA Joss House

2010-04-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yun Lin Miao (Cloud Forest temple) is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. Located in Weaverville, California, the temple was built in 1874 as a replacement for another that had burned. This is a small temple but filled with history.
I traveled there with my friends, Huang Li and daughter, Xin Yu, and Kang Shu Jin.
Inside the temple there is a main alter and behind that three smaller alters with dieties. Here is a picture of some of the dieties.
Because my friends are Chinese we were allowed to go up to the alters to view it more closely.

Pictured in front of the Temple (Left to right) are my friends Kang Shu Jin, Huang Li, and Xin Yu.

eastearthherb on twitter

2010-04-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

You can now get daily herbal and health insights from East Earth Trade Winds on twitter. Go to twitter.com then search for and follow: eastearthherb

skin problems

2010-04-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

Q: I have checked www.eastearthtrade.com for chronic ingrown hair condition on my legs only and I did not see anything listed that would meet that criterion. Can you please recommend what product may help with this condition? I've dealt with this for several years and it keeps getting worse. It seems as though since I have such coarse hair, it will curl back under the skin before exiting the upper dermis. I?m not sure if I just have very tough skin or what is causing this condition, but it's extremely embarrassing. Specialists are saying that they want to put me on steroids and/or growth inhibitors, but I DO NOT want to go this route, it's very harmful. I am desperate to find an all natural remedy for this condition. Any insights of recommendations for one of your products, would be greatly appreciated!

A: Here's a suggestion for two products that may help. One is a topical called Yin Care. I suggest making a 10% solution to start. You'll have to experiment a little to see what works best.
Here's the Link: http://eastearthtrade.com/yin-care.aspx

The other product is internal and works good for acne, blemishes and other skin problems. The dosage is 4 tablets twice a day.
Here's the link: http://eastearthtrade.com/lienchiaopaitupien.aspx

Hopefully you'll see results within 7-10 days or less.

Clostridium difficile and Chinese Herbs

2010-03-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Clostridium difficile (C-diff) is a hospital related diarrhea. Recent reports suggest that it is surpassing MRSA infections. Western medicine is having more trouble treating this problem. We know that:
• Clindamycin resistant outbreaks of C-diff were identified in U.S. 1989 through 1992
• Ciprofloxin and Levaquin resistance C-diff was reported in 2005
How can Chinese herbs help? We know from research that certain herbs can treat C-diff. These herbs* have been identified as:
• Anemone pulsatilla (Bai Tou Weng)
• Artemisia (Ai Ye)
• Camellia (Lu Cha)
• Cassia seed (Jue Ming Zi)
• Coptis (Huang Lian)
• Gingko leaf (Yin Xing Ye)
• Rhus chinensis (Wu Bei Zi)
It would be in the best interest of patients to integrate Chinese herb therapy when fighting problems such as C-diff or other antibiotic resistant organisms.

*The herbs with the exception of Rhus Chinensis, can be found by looking up the Chinese name at http://eastearthtrade.com/sanjiuherbalextracts.aspx

Wontons and Potstickers Recipe

2010-03-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

An easy way to make wontons or potstickers is to buy the wrappers in the supermarket and make the filling.
Ingredients:
1/2 pound shrimp
1.5 pounds ground pork
green onions
celery
fresh ginger
sesame oil
soy sauce
salt
square wonton wrappers

1). It a small blender grind the ginger and green onions. Add to the ground pork.
2). clean the shrimp
3). boil water. cut two celery stalks in half. Add to the boiling water and cook for two minutes. Then remove and grind. Squeeze the water our and add to the meat
4). chop the shrimp and add to the meat
5). add sesame oil, salt and soy sauce. Mix with your hands.
6). wrap the mixed meat in the wonton wraps. Put a small amount in the center. fold the wrap in half then wet the edge and pinch closed. Any extra can be frozen.

For Wonton soup: add oil, soy sauce, salt, vinegar, and chopped green onions. Bring the water to a boil and add the wontons, boil for a few minutes and add more water. Bring to a boil again. do this four times. Serve as soup.

For Potstickers: Place potstickers in a shallow pan with some water in it and cook until all the water is gone.

Heartworm herbs

2010-03-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

I recently bought from another company some Empirical Heartworm support herbal product. I decided to look up some of the ingredients on your web site and did not find a thing. So tell me, did I waste my money on this stuff> If it isn't to much of a bother, I will list some of the ingredients for you.....

Bing Lang ( Semen Arecae)

Wu Mei (Fructus Mume)

Shi Jun ( Fructus Quisqualis)

Fu Ling (Poria) etc

Please if it isn't too much trouble tell me if this stuff is real.

Thank you. -Virginia S.

A: Some of these herbs are used for parasites in Chinese medicine but not specifically heartworm. I don't know if it will work. You should ask the other company what research they have that supports their claim.

Cloud Hands Seminar with Sifu Share K. Lew

2010-02-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

Sifu Lew Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew
will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and June 6, 2010 in Redding, CA

The exercises that Master Lew teaches are part of the "internal system" of the martial arts, known as Nui Kung or energy cultivation. These exercises strengthen the circulation of the Chi (vital energy), which increases vitality, health, and sensory perception. All of these exercises have traditionally been kept secret. Daily practice of the exercises will give the student a tangible experience of Chi energy.
The Cloud Hands set is the beginning set of Nui Kung (internal energy cultivation) which builds a foundation for both better health and further Nui Kung. The Cloud Hands consist of five relatively non-strenuous movements along with quiet seated meditation. These Taoist exercises help the body maintain good health and increase vitality. The time required for practice will fit into anyone’s schedule.
****

The Instructor
Share K. Lew, now in his nineties, is a Taoist priest with over 70 years experience in the traditional Taoist arts. Master Lew received part of his education at Wong Lung Kwan, a Taoist monastery on the Luo Fo mountains near Canton, China.
Master Lew studied at Wong Lung Kwan monastery for 13 years. During that time he trained in the full range of Taoist healing and martial arts. At the core of his training was the secret system of cultivation known as Qigong (Chi kung). Master Lew was the first person to openly teach authentic Taoist Qigong to non-Chinese, beginning in Los Angeles in 1970. Master Lew’s monastery style, the Tao Ahn Pai (Taoist Elixir Style), dates back over 1300 years to Lu Dung Bin, who was born during the Tang Dynasty, and became one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.

For information and reservations call John Price at (530) 524-6942 or email: 6mmrem@gmail.com

*****
Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and June 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 to 4:00 pm, with lunch break from 12-2:00 pm
Location: Tobacco and Brew on Hilltop Drive in Redding

Fee: $200

Reservations: Pre-registration is recommended. A deposit of $100 will reserve your space. Class size is limited to 35 people.
• Bring a small pillow to sit on

herpes virus

2010-02-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Q: I have the herpes virus. Based on my studies, I know you can not tell me that you have a cure for herpes, I know you can not use the word cure. However, I need t know what is your best product for my condition and has any of your customers told you that they feel better after taking your product for this type of virus. Also Do you have an herb called PRATAN. This herb comes from Thailand and suppose to be good for herpes. Can you assist me in making a connection to some body in that country.
A: The Long Dan Xie Gan Wan is the best formula for this problem. It is to be taken whenever you feel like you are having an outbreak. Don't take it all the time. This product is not a cure but helps control the outbreaks. You also need to have a good diet and reduce stress to prevent future outbreaks and above all don't have sexual intercourse when you are having an outbreak. Do not pass this on.
I am not familiar with the herb Pratan.

Tinnitus

2010-02-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Q: I was wondering which products you suggest for hearing loss and tinnitus.

A: Er Long Zuo Ci Wan, is according to Chinese medicine books, said to be helpful. It all depends on the cause of the tinnitus so I really don't know if it would help or not. You may have to try several weeks or longer.

Chrysanthemum Tea

2010-02-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

Looking to make a pleasant tasting tea? Add 3-4 chrysanthemum flowers along with the juice from half a lemon and add a little bit of honey to make a surprisingly delicious tea! Chrysanthemi, Flos (Chinese: Ju hua)) is said to be good for the eyes and clears and calms the Liver.

You can buy Chrysanthemum at www.eastearthtrade.com

Translating Acupuncture Texts

2010-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

The topic of Acupuncturist's translating Chinese medical texts came up in a discussion recently. Occasionally I'll run across articles where an American acupuncturist's states that he or she translated the original Chinese text for the article. For example, Bob Flaws, OMD, of Blue Poppy Press, is a prolific "translator" who, according to his biography, taught himself to read "medical Chinese". He has in the past offered courses on reading Medical Chinese. He has also published a book "Teach Yourself to Read Modern Medical Chinese: A Step-by-Step Workbook and Guide". The pitch for this books states: "Bob shares all the 'quick and dirty' methods he’s used to teach himself. You can begin translating modern medical Chinese within hours"
While I have never read the book, advertising the translation methods as "quick and dirty" or promising you can begin translating Chinese into English "within hours" makes it sound like a side-show carnival product.(1)
Don't be misled, Chinese is not an easy language to learn or translate. The US Government classifies Mandarin Chinese as a Category IV language - one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to learn.
My concern is that Acupuncturists that read some of these "translated" articles or books take for granted that the translator is actually qualified to do that kind of work.
Those who want to translate and publish Chinese medical texts into English need to have a formal education in Chinese Language and translation from an institute of higher learning.
I propose passing Level 11 of the HSK exam as a minimum standard for translators of Chinese medical texts.
The HSK(2) is a standard test of Proficiency in Chinese language. The amount of words a person should know at the basic test level ranges from 400-3,000 Chinese words. In the advanced level HSK (Level 11) they should have knowledge of 5,000-8,000 words. According to the HSK website a person passing HSK Level 11 is proficient in Chinese at the advanced (high) level and can be regarded as qualified as an intermediate-level translator.

I also believe that a translator in the field of acupuncture should have the translations reviewed for accuracy by a translation committee prior to publication.

The whole purpose of setting high standards is to elevate the profession of acupuncture and make sure that accurate information is disseminated to practitioners.

Notes:
(1) A reviewer on amazon.com said this about Bob Flaws book:
"...I would like to say though, I found the book not that helpful in two ways. 1) The terminology although has pinyin romanization, it lacks the intonation marks. While this book is for reading, tones added will make the book able to help those wanting to learn to speak or listen to Chinese. 2) The book is full of errors. The wrong characters are written and often the meaning is either too simple or in error...so many errors!

(2) For more information on Chinese Proficiency Tests see HSK

Texas Acupuncture Warning

2010-02-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if you are a Chiropractor in Texas you can practice acupuncture with just 100 hours of training? As unbelievable as it may seem this is true.
To put this in perspective, to qualify for the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) which is accepted as the main certifying agency in most states you need almost 3,000 hours training from a formal education program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

So, do people in Texas seeking acupuncture treatment know this? They should. Chiropractors in Texas who portray themselves as trained acupuncturists are less than forthright. They have organizations they belong to but as far as I can tell they certify themselves.
Think about 100 hours of training. That's not much in any field, much less medicine. For comparison, in a typical Oriental Medical College that will produce a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), a first year student will take 165 hours a semester and they won't even begin to touch a needle much less claim to know acupuncture.

My advice: If you live in Texas and seek acupuncture go to an acupuncturist with the credentials of "L.Ac." (Licensed Acupuncturist) These people have extensive and proper training and will be much more capable of treating you as a professional - and they won't have studied acupuncture by correspondence course either.

For more reading see: AAOM challenges 300-Hour "Chiropractice Acupucnture" Program.

Culing Pill

2010-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Q: Is there any wheat or any form of gluten in Culing Pill?
A: One ingredient, Massa Fermenta, or MASSA FERMENTATA (Chinese: Shen Qu) is in the formula. You probably don't want to use it.

Green Tea

2010-02-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Tea Power

Drinking green tea may not only prevent cancer - it may also shrink tumors. University of Mississippi medical Center researchers gave water mixed with a green tea anti-oxidant called EGCG to mice with breast cancer. After five weeks, their tumors were 66 percent smaller and 68 percent lighter than those in mice who drank just water.

As Reported by the Reader's Digest (October 2008, page 121).

Swallowing capsules

2010-02-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

Q: Could I melt the capsules? I'm not very good at swallowing big pills.

Is this something I will have to take everyday to feel the effect? I am looking for something that's more "on the go" type or immediate relief.

A: You can open the capsules and pour the contents into tea. I'm not sure how well it would dissolve. One trick to swallowing any pill or capsule is to tuck your chin down as you swallow. The capsule will go down much easier this way. If you tilt your head back it is much harder to swallow anything.

You might take it daily for the 1st two weeks than use as needed. You'll have to see how it works for you. Herbs are not as strong as prescription drugs so you can't always expect "immediate" relief, especially if you are using it for panic attacks or anxiety. It may need to build up in your system.

Dog's Liver Enzymes

2010-02-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Q: my dog has high liver enyzmes vet doesn't know why with Diarrhea muccus can she take liu wei Di Huang wan if so she is 28 lbs how much can i give her and how many times aday are 2 pills enough? i want to make sure on the box it says something about liver problems i'm confused because it's for the liver

A: Use about five pills a day for a 28 pound dog. The liver warning on the box has to do with the product containing licorice. If you take about 1/3 of an ounce of licorice daily for months on end you may have blood pressure problems - hence, the warning. However, there is not even a gram of licorice in the whole box. The warning is just to protect the company in case of legal action. You should also know that this product has been around for over 200 years without a warning label and many other companies make the same product without a warning label. However, you need to make the choice whether to use it or not.

Hand and Leg Pain

2010-02-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Q: I suffer from inflammation in many parts of my body, especially along the meridian (gall bladder?) which runs down the outside of my thighs and on down, so much so that just touching anywhere along it causes extreme pain. The other issue is poor circulation, where my hands fall asleep at night. I don't know if these two things are related, but wondered if there were something you could suggest taking for either/both of these issues.
A: The pain down the side of your leg could be sciatic pain or sciatica. Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan may help.
The hands falling asleep at night may be carpal tunnel syndrome. China Tung Hsueh may help.
Both these products can be found at www.eastearthtrade.com

Lei Gong Teng Thunder God Vine

2010-01-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Q: Do you know where I can get thunder god vine, lei gong teng, Latin Name Tripterygium Wilfordii?

A: Lei Gong Teng is a very toxic herb and should never be used unless under the supervision of someone trained in its use. This herb is not discussed in American Acupuncture Colleges because it is so toxic. It's use is not very common and it is not available commercially for good reasons
Properties and action: Bitter tasting, highly toxic. Reduces inflammation, detoxifies, kills maggots and larvae, poisons rats and birds (by baiting), destroys oncomelania snails.
Conditions most used for: Waistband ulcers and pruritus.
Preparation: Roots, leaves, flowers or fruits are used medicinally for EXTERNAL purposes in suitable amounts. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.

Lei Gong Teng contains a strong neurotoxin. Intoxication symptoms such as burning pain in mouth and throat, excessive salivation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, etc., usually appear with half an hour of taking this herb. Following this, dilated pupils or even blindness, drooping eyelids, dizziness, dysphasia, cold clammy hands and feet, muscular weakness or cramps, swallowing difficulties and finally coma, may be manifest. Finally, bradycardia followed by tachycardia and irregular respiration, if not treated immediately, may culminate in respiratory failure and death.
Prevention: Lei Gong Teng is used for EXTERNAL purposes to eliminate and eradicate pests. Do not take by mistake.

Other: Lei Gong Teng will cause infertility in women.

Note: Lei Gong Teng is also known as Lei-Kung T'eng

I suggest using Tung Hsueh as a substitute. This product is good for arthritis and pain relief and is safe to use. It can be found at eastearthtrade.com

China Tung Hsueh

2010-01-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

Q: I have seen China Tung Hsueh listed under pet remedies. Is it really safe for human beings to take these medicine? I am really worried as this will badly affect my health. Need your immediate reply on the matter.

A: China Tung Hsueh is not per se a "pet remedy" but many people have found that their pet will benefit from it. Many people use the Chinese formula's for pets. See the book Four Paws, Five Directions for example. This is also true of human prescription medicine. They are often used in animals.

Lajiao

2010-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

I never thought about pickled peppers before but last night I was having dinner at the home of a Chinese friend when I came across an interesting looking vegetable. I took a taste and thought it was a pickle but moments later after chewing thoroughly and swallowing it I realized to late that it was not a pickle. I asked my friend what it was and she told me it was "La jiao" or in English a hot pepper. What I had eaten was a pickled pepper and it was way too hot for me. I didn't dare eat the rest of them though the noodles they were in were very good.

Run Chang Wan

2010-01-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

Q: I have some pain in the lower left abdomen. A friend of mine suggested it might be constipation.

I am wondering if Run Chang Wan might be a short term help. Long term I am not sure what to do. Now I just need to figure out how to help the bowels run more smoothly.

We also have some 'phase two' cleansing tonic, with Cascara Sagarada. I suppose I could try a very small amount of that.

A. Run Chang Wan is a very gentle intestinal lubricant. It is safe for long-term use or for elderly people or those recovering from an illness. Cascara is a harsh laxative. I think the Run Chang Wan is better. You can buy it at East Earth Trade Winds.

Pearl Powder

2010-01-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

Q: Do you know where to get pearl powder? Are there varying qualities of the stuff?

A: East Earth Trade Winds has mother-of-pearl (margaritifera) available. This is used as a substitute for pearl powder. Pearl powder itself is generally more expensive. The pearls used are not jewel quality so there aren't different grades.

Indigo

2009-12-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

Q: I wanted to make up some Indigo ointment to use for my few patches of psoriasis, but I have been unable to find a recipe. Do you have such a recipe or sell a book which gives a recipe? Do you sell a ready-made ointment into which I could put the indigo, and how much would I stir in? Thanks. ----S.F.
A: Indigo can be mixed with shampoo or skin creams. Please see this link at eastearthtrade.com for more information.
Indigo

Chinese Pears for Cough

2009-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you have ever read about using Chinese pears and sugar for coughs but don't know how to prepare it you've come to the right place.
First you need Chinese pears which you may find at a Chinese market or perhaps at your local grocer.
1). Imagine that you are going to make a little hat for the pear and cut the top off about 1/2 - 3/4 inch below the stem.
2). Remove the seeds by hollowing out the pear.
3). Fill with honey.
4). Put the top of the pear back on.
5). Put the pear in a bowl and fill about halfway up with water.
6). You will cook the pear in a double boiler, so put the bowl in another pan of water and heat the outer pan.
7). Turn the heat on low so that the water outside the bowl is warm and steamy.
8). Put a lid on it and cook for 60-90 minutes
9). Eat the pear.

Dit da jou or dit da chiu?

2009-12-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

Q: Where can I get dit da jou or dit da chiu? Are these good for arthritis pain in the knee?

A: Dit ja jou or dit da chiu are different spellings of "dit da jow". Basicallythe name translates as "injury medicine" or "hit medicine". Here are several links to products in that are considered Dit Da Jow's.
While the formulas are generally used for a recent injury, many do help give relief for chronic pain like arthritis.

See:

Iron Hand Liniment

Zheng gu shui

Five Photo's

Tai Chi Demo

2009-09-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

For our speaking class final exam Zhao Laoshi had us talk on a subject. Ten minutes before our exam we were given our topic. I drew sports. One of the questions we were to address in our topic was "What is your favorite sport?" so in the course of my final I told Zhao Laoshi that tai chi was my favorite sport and that I had practiced it for over 30 years.
At class the next day Zhao Laoshi started talking about the exam and how everyone did. I didn't realize it at the time of the test but she was taking notes on what everyone said. When she mentioned my exam she told the class I practiced tai chi and asked me to come to the front of the room to demonstrate.
I didn't realize it at the time but fellow student Xiang Siow made a video. He recently posted it on youtube. Click the link if you would like to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyv1NjAu3yY

China's National Performing Arts Center

2009-09-03T19:16:00.001-07:00

One evening Wang Leyan and Wu Ceng bought tickets for all of us so that we could attend a muscial performance at the National Performing Arts Center. The music was excellent (violins, Cello, piano) and we really enjoyed the performance. The building was also amazing. Later we went back to take pictures of it.

This is a view from the front. The walkway and water that you see in the picture is actually part of the roof over the entrance. The entryway is behind and below from where I stood to take this picture. Once inside, the pool of water (seen in the foreground here) becomes part of a transparent ceiling. You look up and have flowing patterns of water above you. It's quite an amazing building. Ultramodern and with excellent acoustics. I wish I was better at describing it. They also jam cellphone reception in the building which ensures that some thoughtless person doesn't disturb the performance.

May I have your picture?

2009-09-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Often when we travel people who don't encounter westerners very often like to have their picture taken with us. Hannah is especially in demand since she has light hair and fair skin. On this day at the Temple of Heaven I was taking a picture of Hannah when a Chinese girl moved in very close to her and Hannah looked over to see what was going on. Either they just happened to be in the same place at the same time or the Chinese girl may have wanted a picture with her and stepped in close to get it. Anyway, we laughed about it and ended up sharing some nice pictures with her!

Dragon Boats

2009-08-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Our first weekend in China was spent sightseeing. Close to the university is Yi He Yuan or The Summer Palace. There's a big lake and lots of interesting things to see. It is a very nice place to go to.

Here's a picture of some boats on the lake and the dragons on the front of the boats.

Shi Mao Tian Jie. The largest outdoor video screen

2009-08-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

At Shi Mao Tian Jie, (in English, known as "The Place"), there is a huge courtyard between some large office buildings. In the center is a huge video screen. Do you remember watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and they rolled out the large video screen on the floor? This is very similar to that only it is suspended in the air and you look up to see it. My guess is that it is at least the length of a football field, maybe even longer. It is like a park underneath and people eat, have drinks or children rollerblade and play. When we arrived they had a listing of people's cell phone messages on the screen. Apparently you could call in and have them posted. After that there was a show about the solar system that was pretty amazing. Hannah said it was ironic that we'd sit outside on the ground and look at a video screen to see the stars.

The picture to right is from the front as you walki in off the street. The screen curves upward.

Video below is taken approximately from the second of the last two sections seen in the picture.

Dog Fashions

2009-08-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

While we were at a large market we saw a man walking this lttle dog. I ran after him to get a picture and snapped this just before he picked him up and disappeared into the crowd.

The Bird's Nest and Water Cube

2009-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

We visited the Olympic Park and saw The Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube. The visibility that day wasn't very good as you can see from the pictures.

Simatai Chang Cheng (Great Wall)

2009-08-30T09:28:00.001-07:00

My friends, Wang Leyan and Wu Ceng, escorted us to Simatai Chang Cheng (Great Wall). Of the three sections of the Great Wall you can see in the Beijing area, Simaitai is, in my opinion, the most spectacular. With the help of Leyan, I hired a car and driver and off we went for the day. The weather was cooler and slightly rainy that day which was ideal since the previous week had been very hot and humid. Simatai is on a mountain ridge and the general feeling, when you are at the top, is that you are in an airplane with the valley far below. After our hike we had a nice lunch and drove back to Beijing.

-Having Leyan and Ceng as friends in Beijing made the trip extra special. Leyan met Hannah and I at the airport when we arrived and helped us get settled in at the University and they took us to restaurants and places that we never would have know of ourselves. Their help was very much appreciated.

Top Left: Wang Leyan and Wu Ceng

Top Right: Picture of the Great Wall from inside a tower.

Note: The main picture on The Riverlands blog (at the top of the page) is from Simatai when I first went there 11 years ago with another friend, Dong Qiang. Tourists are not allowed to walk that section any more as it is too narrow and dangerous.

Temple of Heaven Musicians

2009-08-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of some musicians playing classical instruments. As with the singers they are just another group of people who get together and have fun.

Temple of Heaven: singing

2009-08-30T08:32:00.001-07:00

Here's a short video of some singers at the Temple of Heaven Park

Tian Tan: The Temple of Heaven

2009-08-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

One of our first weekend excursions was to the Temple of Heaven (Tain Tan). The Temple is amazingly beautiful but also a lot of the fun was going through the side entrance and seeing people enjoying their weekend by dancing, singing, and playing musiic.

Top right: A lady playing with a ribbon in the park.

Top leftt: Man writing calligraphy with water and a giant brush on the sidewalk near East Entrance to Temple of Heaven Park.

Bottom: The Temple of Heaven (and lots of tourists)

The Bird's Nest and Water Cube

2009-08-30T02:37:00.001-07:00

One of my classmates told me Beijing is a architect's dream. They can design and build world class projects in relatively short periods of time as compared to other countries. The Olympic stadium and Water Cube are two examples. The day we went there the air quality was poor and it was very hot but it was very interesting actually be there.

Our Dorm

2009-08-30T02:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of our dorm. There's 10 stories. We were on the fourth floor and walked up the stairs 3-4 times a day. It was good exercise- and we needed to exercise to prepare for going to the Great Wall. Occassionally we were lazy and took the elevator.

BLCU Classes

2009-08-30T02:23:00.000-07:00

We took an intensive class in Chinese language. Hannah was a beginner in Level A3. I started in a "C" level class but dropped to "B4" level the first day because it was too difficult for me. Two days later I dropped from B4 and ended up in B3 level which was just right. Class levels range from A-F and there are intermediate and advanced classes within those levels. We spent 30 hours a week in class and probably another 4-5 hours a day studying and preparing for the next day. We both learned more than 300 new words in Chinese (Average 25 new words a day. Many days we had to learn much more).

This was my second time at BLCU. Almost ten years to the day I was in the beginning level class there. It was fun to go back and see how the University has grown.

Top: Hannah at the entrance to our building, The College of Intensive Chinese Studies. (Making a "V" sign is very popular there when taking pictures. We have fun adopting that pose.)

Top left: My class. Zhao Laoshi (teacher) (blue shirt) is just right of me and Jiang Laoshi (teacher) (white & blue dress), our grammar instructor, is next to her. Both were excellent teachers. We also had two other teachers for listening and conversation classes. Students came from many countries including Sweden, England, Iran, Russia, Japan, Spain, South Korea, and Malaysia to mention a few.

Bottom: Speaking teacher Zhao Laoshi and student. She was very nice and very patient with us as we stumbled over the words and pronunciation in text we had to read outloud. The blackboard in the background is typical of our class work. Zhao Laoshi never spoke English and it was very rare for the other teachers to speak in English also.

China Studies

2009-08-30T02:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Hannah and I left Beijing at 12 noon, flew 11 hours, then arrived in San Francisco at 8:30 am the same day. We saw the sun rise and set twice this day. I had to wait at the San Francisco airport until 5:00pm until my plane left on my final leg to Redding.
It is now Sunday, 2:00am and I'm wide awake. There's a 15 hour time difference from Beijing and my body says I should be up - so I am.
What follows are some pictures and video clips from our Language Study trip at Beijing Language and Culture University.

China 2009

2009-07-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, my daughter Hannah and I will fly to China. We have enrolled in Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) for a one month intensive in Chinese language taking place in the month of August. Classes are five days a week, six hours a day. We are looking forward to living in Beijing as residents instead of as tourists.